Instructor:  Jan Huizinga (huizinga@mcmaster.ca) 
Teaching Assistant: Ruchi Gupta (guptar4@mcmaster.ca)

• How to find Dr. Huizinga's office (HSC-3N5C)

Web-address: http://www.fhs.mcmaster.ca/huizinga/engphys/ 

The objective of this course is to give the student an introduction to the science of human physiology. Emphasis will be placed on general underlying principles and mechanisms. It is not the idea to cover all aspects of human physiology, this would necessarily have to be very superficial because of the constraints of time. The idea is that the student by the end of the course, can pick up any textbook of physiology and understand whatever later becomes of interest.

This course does not only focus on content. Equally important is the process by which the learning has been achieved. The idea is that in your working life you will face numerous problems to be solved and almost always this will be some kind of group effort. It is therefore crucial to become efficient in identifying learning issues, finding information, realizing the existence of and using a wide variety of resources, integrating, sharing and presenting information.

It is essential that various resource materials be used. This will be further discussed in class. Some texts will be available on reserve in the health sciences library.

The course will also discuss drugs related to physiological problems. This is however not a pharmacology course. Drugs are used only as a vehicle to understand human physiology. By understanding how the body reacts to a drug and to a lesser extend what the drug does to the body, we will thoroughly understand many body functions.

Throughout this semester, everyone will work in a group of 6-10 students (dependent on enrolment numbers). The group work will start with the presentation of a problem. The idea is not to quickly "solve" the problem. The idea is to use the problem as a starting point and a focus point for learning. Starting with the problem, the group will define learning tasks keeping in mind the general objectives of the course.

Each group will meet every other week with the instructor and each group has one hour to present some of the data gathered, to discuss problems encountered and to evaluate progress. One person will be chosen at random to lead this discussion and present the general accomplishments of the group. He/she can ask the assistance of others during the presentation if needed. It is therefore very important that everyone is well aware of what other group members are doing. In between the meetings with the instructor, the group meets as often as they want.

Each person in the group will keep a log book (see elsewhere for specifics) and this book will be handed in every two weeks and will be returned two days later.

What each individual student has to do: 

• be fully aware of course objectives
• keep a log book
• attend group meetings and actively participate
• be prepared to lead discussion in each group meeting with instructor
• be prepared to give the end unit presentation
• write one essay with a topic outside of the group problem (has to be approved by myself)

For general questions, you can email teaching assistant Ruchi Gupta (guptar4@mcmaster.ca) ; Or if needed, myself (huizinga@mcmaster.ca).

In addition to the group work there is one individual essay to be written  on a physiological topic outside of the problem you are working on.

On reserve in the Health Sciences Library: 

• Vander, Human Physiology 
• Sherwood, Human Physiology 
• Guyton, Medical Physiology

Acknowledgement: PK Rangachari's generous sharing of his knowledge in problem based learning is gratefully acknowledged.

• Some student comments on this course

POLICY REMINDERS:

Attention is drawn to the Statement on Academic Ethics and the Senate Resolutions on Academic Dishonesty as found in the Senate Policy Statements distributed at registration and available in the Senate Office. Any student who infringes one of these resolutions will be treated according to the published policy.

The Faculty of Engineering is concerned with ensuring an environment that is free of all adverse discrimination. If there is a problem that cannot be resolved by discussion among the persons concerned, individuals are reminded that they should contact their Department Chair, the Sexual Harassment Officer or the Human Rights Consultant, as soon as possible.